As the government continues to assure the public of the adequacy of food supply in the country amid the ongoing oil price surge.
Last Monday, March 23, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally inspected the Bicol Mega Cold Storage and Vegetable and Fruit Processing Facility in Pili, Camarines Sur.
It features six refrigerated warehouse rooms for commodities and one room for preparation, one blast freezer with a capacity of two tons, and a solar power system that will ensure the safety of agricultural commodities such as vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, and fish.
Funded with a PHP500 million investment, the cold storage has a combined annual capacity exceeding 200,000 tons, and is expected to benefit over 200,000 farmers and farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in the Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao, according to the government.
In his remarks following the inspection, Marcos said, “Binubuo namin ang buo na pangangailangan ng ating mga magsasaka. Dahil talaga namang alam namin na ang buong Pilipinas ang nagpapakain ay ang ating mga magsasaka at alam naman natin kung gaano kahirap maghanapbuhay na nagsasaka.”
“Kasi pagka wala tayong ganito (cold storage), ‘yung mga produkto natin, lalo na ‘yung mga gulay, ‘yung mga itlog, lahat ng produkto natin na hindi tumatagal ay kailangan ninyong ibenta dahil masisira, hindi magagamit,” he continued. “Kaya kung anong presyo ang sasabihin ng trader, eh wala kayong magagawa. Kaya pagka may cold storage na, at magko-control nitong cold storage ay hindi ‘yung malalaking kompanya.”
The President then noted the government will organize a local group to control and operate the facility to the locals’ advantage. “Kayo ang magsasabi kung kailan ibebenta, kaninong tatanggapin na produkto.”
From June 2022 to October 2025, there have been 24 operational cold storage facilities across the country.
The President also expressed that he wants locals to earn additional income from the Vegetable and Fruit Processing Facility—which is a postharvest hub that handles receiving, processing, and storing of fruits and vegetables into chilled, frozen, dried, canned, and puree products.
“Mayroon tayong mga processing na ganito, ang may-ari, lokal, para kung ano man ang dagdag – ang tawag nila value-added – kung ano man ang dagdag sa presyo ng produkto ay hindi mapupunta sa malaking korporasyon, kundi mapupunta sa ating mga nagsasaka,” said the Chief Executive.
The processing facility currently has a racking system, a washing vat and tumbler, a pressure cooker, a peeling and cutting table, a pulper finisher, and cold storage.
During his tour, President Marcos observed the production process and sampled some of the products.
SPIP FROM NIA
Meanwhile, he also inspected the two Solar-Powered Irrigation Projects (SPIPs) worth PHP332 million, which were initiated by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
Funded under the Establishment of Groundwater Pump Irrigation Project (EGPIP) Solar CY 2024, the combined projects cover more than 1,800 hectares of farmland.
Marcos said these projects ate aimed at strengthening food security and advancing the modernization of the country’s agriculture sector through innovative, climate-resilient technologies.
Included in the projects are the PHP126.7-million Solar Pump Irrigation Project by the San Agustin-San Ramon Agrarian Reform Farmers’ Cooperative (SARF) in Bula, and the PHP205.46-million New MASSBA Solar Pump Irrigation Project (Phase I) in Minalabac.
With the adoption of solar energy, farmer cooperatives have drastically cut their power consumption, allowing them to save money and increase their income, with the projects jointly benefitting more than 1,800 farmers.
With the transition to solar energy, electricity costs have also dropped significantly, with farmer-members saving more and improve their income.
Moreover, the farmers also benefit from the reliable, uninterrupted irrigation system, with the solar-powered facility ensuring a continuous water supply while eliminating electricity-related expenses for its members.
NIA Administrator Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Guillen said solar-powered irrigation remains NIA’s key strategy in lowering production costs and enhancing agricultural productivity in the country.
He also noted that the opening of the solar-powered irrigation systems demonstrates the government’s commitment to helping farmers increase their income and improve their living conditions.
During his visit, President Marcos also had an interaction with the farmers, where they raised with the President the challenges they are facing. In response, the President mentioned government initiatives intended for local farmers.
“With the introduction of solar-powered irrigation systems in Camarines Sur, the government could strengthen food security and modernize the country’s agricultural sector through innovative, climate-resilient technologies,” the government also said.